Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease of bone in which bone mineral density is reduced and bone microarchitecture is disrupted. Osteoporotic bones are susceptible to fracture. It is defined according to the bone mineral density (BMD) as measured by DEXA: a BMD of 2.5 standard deviations below the peak bone mass (20-year-old person standard) is considered osteoporosis. While treatment modalities are becoming available, prevention is still the most important way to reduce fracture. Due to its hormonal component, more women suffer from osteoporosis than men.

Epidemiology

It is estimated that 10 million Americans have established osteoporosis and another 34 million have osteopenia, or low bone mass, which leads to osteoporosis. It is responsible for 1.5 million fractures annually, mostly involving the lumbar vertebrae, hip, and wrist. About 50% of women and 25% of men are expected to have osteoporosis in their lifetime. The estimated US(?) national direct expenditures (hospitals and nursing homes) for osteoporotic and associated fractures was $17 billion in 2001.

Related Topics:
Vertebrae - Hip - Wrist

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